Journal of Medicinal Plantsفصلنامه گياهان داروييJMPMedical Scienceshttp://jmp.ir1admin1684-024010.18869/acadpub.jmp14888813fajalali139651gregorian201781363online1fulltextenClinical Efficacy of Topical Avena sativa Versus Betamethasone in Chronic Pruritus due to Sulfur Mustard ExposureشيميChemistryپژوهشيResearch<strong>Background:</strong><strong> <em>Avena sativa</em>, a well-known herbal medicine; has been used in various skin diseases such as eczema, burn and pruritus.</strong><br>
<strong>Objective:</strong><strong> The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this herbal medicine for treatment of chronic pruritus in</strong> <strong>Sulfur Mustard (SM) exposed patients.</strong><br>
<strong>Methods:</strong><strong> Veterans who referred to Baghiat-Allah dermatologic clinic for itching problems were examined by a dermatologist and randomly assigned in three different groups. Group A received ointment derived from <em>Avena sativa</em> plant, group B, placebo and group C, betamethasone 0.1% cream twice a day for 4 weeks. Twenty five patients were included in each group. A visual analogue scale were used for assessment of severity of pruritus and 2 questionnaire for quality of life and quality of sleep were filled for each patient.&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><br>
<strong>Results:</strong><strong> Pruritus severity after the study by VAS method was significantly decreased in all the groups, but betamethasone group showed the largest decrease (-2.4, P<0.001). The average quality of life based on DLQI criteria and quality of sleep based on PSQI after the treatment showed the most significant difference in betamethasone group (3.52, P<0.001 and&nbsp; 0.96, P=0.001 respectively). Although <em>Avena sativa</em> showed significant effect on these criteria but it was only superior to placebo and not as effective as betamethasone. </strong><br>
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<strong>Conclusion:</strong><strong> The result demonstrated that <em>Avena sativa</em> ointment reduced chronic pruritus, increased quality of life and quality of sleep in patients exposed to SM but betamethasone was superior in all aspects. </strong>Avena sativa, Chronic pruritus, Sulfur mustard6877http://jmp.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1678-1&slc_lang=en&sid=faMShohrati 100319475328460011498100319475328460011498Yes
1- Research Center of Chemical Injuries, Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranMDavoud 100319475328460011499100319475328460011499No2- Department of Dermatology, Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranShRezazadeh 100319475328460011500100319475328460011500No3- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, IranBNajafian 100319475328460011501100319475328460011501No4- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran